Genre:

Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh's darkly beautiful world of archangels and immortal power, as a pact is sealed between two souls bound by blood, stirred by desire, and driven by vengeance...

With wings of midnight and an affinity for shadows, Jason courts darkness. But now, with the Archangel Neha's consort lying murdered in the jewel-studded palace that was his prison and her rage threatening cataclysmic devastation, Jason steps into the light, knowing he must unearth the murderer before it is too late.

Earning Neha's trust comes at a price--Jason must tie himself to her bloodline through the Princess Mahiya, a woman with secrets so dangerous, she trusts no one. Least of all an enemy spymaster.

With only their relentless hunt for a violent, intelligent killer to unite them, Jason and Mahiya embark on a quest that leads to a centuries-old nightmare... and to the dark storm of an unexpected passion that threatens to drench them both in blood.

Series: Guild Hunter

Review

For years, my friends have been recommending I read Nalini Singh, and somehow, I’d just never made it around to it. But if I had to have a first introduction to Singh’s work, I don’t think I could have picked a more perfect book. While it was in the middle of a series (the Guild Hunter Novels), the story was so engaging and the characters so unique and interesting, I fell right into it. The series information was woven in so seamlessly, I could easily follow the larger arc, and the individual story arc, without it feeling obtrusive.

Jason, the Spymaster, went to serve his master’s interests in another realm when another archangel’s consort is killed. In order to truly infiltrate the realm, Jason has to make a blood oath to Mahiya, the illegitimate daughter of the archangel’s consort, who slept with her sister. Mahiya and Jason are beautifully flawed, and their backstories take the entire novel to unwind, which Singh does masterfully.

I’m not usually a fan of heroines. I find that most women can’t write good women. But Mahiya may be my favorite heroine of all time. She has unbelievable strength and virility of spirit. Her virtue is only outshone by her deep desire for love. She is truly an amazing woman.

Not to be left out, of course, Jason is quite literally the hero that all women wish for. He’s dark and brooding, wounded but strong, almost fragile, yet untouchable. He’s fiercely protective of Mahiya, which she takes in stride. She takes everything in stride. Instead of being phlegmatic and crazy, she’s a solid, hopeful, beautiful woman. I’ve never read a heroine like her. And I never want to read another kind.

I had only one beef with this book, or it would have been perfect. I won’t give away spoilers, but the last two chapters really threw me for a loop. Not in a “isn’t that a cool twist” kind of way, but in a, “that doesn’t seem right” kind of way. I’m maybe a little biased, because it affected Mahiya, and I really loved her. But in general, I find it hard to complain about anything when it comes to this book. I’ve already read it twice. I will read it many more times in the future.

And Nalini Singh has a brand new fan. If she can write one book this good, chances are, she’s going to write another. I can’t wait to find more books like Archangel’s Storm. They’re going to be worth waiting for.

Reviewed by Camryn

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